Tinnitus

Tinnitus refers to ringing or noise in one or both ears that is not caused by an external sound. Only the affected person can hear it. Tinnitus is often a symptom of an underlying condition, such as presbycusis (hearing loss caused by old age) or ear trauma.

Tinnitus is a common problem affecting around 20% of adults. It can range from a low roaring sound to a high squealing pitch. Although it can be annoying, tinnitus is not a serious problem and can be treated.

Tinnitus is commonly caused by hearing loss, which could result from normal ageing or from trauma to the cochlea. It is thought that the cochlea no longer sends normal impulses to the brain, and the brain then generates its own noise to compensate for the absence of normal sound signals.

Most tinnitus occurs due to:

Damage to the hearing nerves in the inner ear, which are the nerves responsible for acute hearing

Exposure to excessively loud noises from clubs and concerts or from portable music devices, which can cause temporary or permanent tinnitus. This is considered the leading cause of tinnitus in young people and can often lead to hearing damage